Wifi VoIP Phones: Wireless VoIP at Your Fingertips

A Wifi VoIP phone can be used to make VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol calls. In this case, it is called VoWifi or VoIP over Wifi technology. Wifi technology is the popular name for the 802.11 standard released in 1997 that lays out the grand plan of a wireless environment, which is more manageable and cost-effective as compared to traditional voice circuits. Over the years, several modifications on the original standard were issued. The 802.11 a operates in a 5 GHz band but it has shorter range as compared to 802.11 b and 802.11 g. These two latest standards both operate at a lower 2 GHz. The advantage of the 802.11 g standard is that it operates like an 802.11 a standard but with a longer reach like the 802.11 b. In short, the best of both worlds.

Previously, VoWifi services lagged behind in quality from the conventional circuits because of its vulnerability to delay and other problems. This is a big blow to its Quality of Service or QoS. Fortunately, there are new standards for the QoS of Wifi technology called Wireless Multimedia Extensions or WME. These standards prioritize wireless VoIP traffic over other applications. Likewise, wireless VoIP is now more secure than ever with new encryption methods called Wifi Protected Access, WPA and WPA2, which is an improvement on the previous method, Wired Equivalent Privacy or WEP. The latest Wifi voip phones out in the markets employ these technologies today to the convenience of the Wifi users.

- Wifi VoIP Phones Out In the Market

1. D-Link V-Click Wifi/ GSM Phone  - D-Link joined the bandwagon to create dual-mode phones that can be used either in GSM or Wifi environment. Transfer in different modes is a breeze because of a V-Click button in the phone. Subscribers can make wireless VoIP calls, and send and receive text messages, while at the same time browsing the Internet with an Opera Mobile browser. This phone is built with a 176 x 220 pixel display that will sure capture the web on its screen. The Wifi/ GSM phone costs about $600.

2. Zyxel Prestige P-2000W Version 2 Wifi Phone - The Prestige P-2000W version 2 from ZyXel handles both Wifi and VoIP connections very well. Its wireless VoIP service is top of the line since the phone supports the latest VoIP standard; Session Initiated Protocol or SIP. It can be interconnected with major SIP-based call servers, and other VoIP client devices. It also has T-Glo pre-installed, a VoIP provider, wireless VoIP account for testing purposes. When making VoIP calls anywhere, the phone automatically looks for nearby Wifi access points to connect while also enabling you to keep your own Wifi number wherever you go. All these phone features for only $ 200 make it an easy buy.

3. UT Starcom F3000 Wifi Phone - This clamshell wireless VoIP phone supports two wireless standards; the 802.11 b and g standards while costing only about $ 210. Though made with only a 128 x 160 LCD display, the color resolution of this phone is 320 x 200 resulting in a crisper screen. The phone is fully SIP compliant and VoIP calling is protected by encryption methods. Its initial WEP encryption method has been supported by the latest encryption method of WPA/MD5. These encryption methods ensures the security of VoIP calling features such as call waiting, call conference, call rejecting, redial and mute options, and call holding.

4. LinkSys WIP300 Wifi IP Phone Hitachi IP-5000 Wifi SIP Phone  - This phone costs about $310 and supports the 802.11 b standard. The phone also offers basic functions to wireless VoIP calling. You do not have to worry about savi ng the number of your friends because it supports up to 200 contacts. It automatically searches for available Wifi access points and it can quantify the strength of the area's radio signal. Aside from being able to display text messages, this wireless VoIP can also be set-up as a wireless LAN terminal equipment since it was built with functions necessary to integrate it with a LAN.

5. UT Starcom F1000G Wifi IP Phone - This wireless VoIP phone supports IP-PBX and IP-Centrex systems. Complying with the 802.11 b and 802.11 g standards, the F1000G IP phone supports a wide range of user environments. Weighing only 111 g, the phone sure packs a lot of features for VoIP calling such as call transfer, call forwarding, call hold and resume, call conferencing and call transfer. It also has a Voice Activity Detection or VAD function wherein it can automatically prep-up once it detects your voice. Likewise it can manage the background noise with its Comfort Noise Generation or CNG feature. It has four hours of talk time with about 30 to 50 hours of stand-by time.

6. D-Link DPH-540 802.11 b/g Wifi SIP Phone - This very sleek flip-type wireless VoIP phone comes in a service subscription plan and like other wireless VoIP phone, will greatly reduce your local and long distance charges. It has a large colored display with a user-friendly texting display. It employs the latest encryption methods available such as WPA and WPA2 to keep unauthorized persons from using the Wifi service. Its Voip quality is compliant with SIP standards and the phone has features such as compensation for packet delays, recovery of lost packets and the cancellation of echos, which makes the VoIP conversation continuously clear and crisp. Its wireless VoIP is also top of the line because it supports PsipTN, the Next Generation VoIP platform. Fortunately, it does not only provide VoIP services and features, but also supports text messaging as well. All these features in a phone that costs only from $200 to $250 is very rare.

7. Netgear SPH101 Skype Wifi phone - This wireless VoIP phone from Skype costs from $150 to $200. It will let you talk to or receive calls from Skype users without the need for a computer connection. As with any Skype connection, the call to a Skype subscriber is always free. The phone display readily shows your Skype buddies who are active. When making calls outside of the Skype network, a low cost charge per minute will be implemented but without the usual monthly fee. Adding flexibility, the Wifi phone can also forward calls to a landline or mobile phone if necessary. The phone, however, has no web browser, making it impossible to use under a Wifi hotspot since these access hotspots require a web log-on and authentication.

8. SMC WSKP100 Wifi Phone - At roughly $ 132, having a prepaid 500 Skype minutes and 1 year Voicemail card for free is not bad. This Wifi phone is built to maximize all Skype functions. It also has an enhanced power-saving mechanism which lengthens the stand-by and talk time. It also supports 802.11 b and 802.11 g wireless standards. The phone also includes features to show the remaining Skype credits as well as profiles of your Skype contacts.

9. Belkin F1PP000GN Wifi Phone - The Belkin Wifi Phone works with Skype and over a Wifi environment. Though it has a stylish look that gives most mobile phones a run for their money, it actually looks more like the Sony Ericsson T610i. It has two face menu keys on either side, a 4-way joystick and a standard phone keypad. It offers the usual phone menus such as call history, voicemail, contact lists and other similar features. Wireless VoIP calling is no problem since the phone is pretty much focused on keeping voice calls to top quality.

 

10. Hitachi

IP-5000 Wifi SIP Phone - This phone costs about $310 and supports the 802.11 b standard. The phone also offers basic functions to wireless VoIP calling. You do not have to worry about saving the number of your friends because it supports up to 200 contacts. It automatically searches for available Wifi access points and it can quantify the strength of the area's radio signal. Aside from being able to display text messages, this wireless VoIP can also be set-up as a wireless LAN terminal equipment since it was built with functions necessary to integrate it with a LAN.

Today, consumers have a wide array of Wifi voip phones to choose from. Not only this, mobile phone manufacturers are also starting to deploy mobile phones with dual-mode capabilities such that it can be used with either a Wifi or a 3G network. These mobile phones are available in the market as Wifi voip phones or smart phones but as long as Wifi voip phones continue to improve on its features and capabilities, it can still maintain a fair share of the market without a problem.